When Material Makes the Difference

The family-owned company based in Alpen on the Lower Rhine in Germany, founded in 1780 and now active in 50 markets worldwide, was looking for an alternative to its previous composite steel. The goal was a material that combines high hardness with good toughness, can be processed reliably, delivers consistent heat treatment results, and is both economical in production and durable in operation. 

Together with SSAB, this led to the development of SSAB M53 – a hardenable boron steel designed specifically for demanding applications like this. With typical values of around 59 HRC through-hardness and approximately 18 joules of impact energy, the material provides a powerful yet cost-effective alternative to more complex material solutions. 

“For our LEMKEN plows, it is crucial that the steel performs well in manufacturing while also being extremely resistant in field operation.” Jörg Nitsche, Head of Hot Forming Technology at LEMKEN.

Higher Performance Without Detours 

What particularly impressed LEMKEN was that the new material could be integrated without any design changes. Neither the geometry of the moldboards nor the production processes or heat treatment needed to be modified. This made it possible to increase performance without incurring additional process costs. 

SSAB M53 is designed for reproducible hardness behavior, high purity, and good workability. This ensures reliability in series production and guarantees that quality holds up not just on paper, but also in everyday manufacturing. 

Performance Proven in the Field 

The material demonstrates its strengths where it matters most – in the field. The new moldboards excel with high wear resistance, good toughness, and lower susceptibility to breakage, even under difficult soil conditions. This extends service life, reduces downtime, and lowers operating costs. 

Another practical advantage is reduced soil adhesion. LEMKEN specifically refines the surfaces of its wear parts to ensure smooth plowing performance. This can also have a positive effect on fuel consumption. Ultimately, it is this combination of material, surface treatment, and geometry that makes the real difference in practice. 

Development as Equal Partners 

The transition from a material concept to a practical solution was made possible by the close collaboration between the two companies. LEMKEN and SSAB developed the steel in partnership – openly and with a clear focus on both field requirements and manufacturing needs. 

“I experienced LEMKEN as an exceptionally innovative agricultural machinery manufacturer. I was especially impressed by their high level of technical expertise and openness to new materials. The collaboration was always cooperative, appreciative, and on equal footing. Only through this close, constructive partnership were we able to develop this new grade so quickly and with these capabilities.”  Markus Reinbach, Technical Development Manager at SSAB.